Ashley Hogan

STA Lunch Program

• A hot-lunch program is offered for students in All-Day Preschool through 8th grade. Many of the menu items featured are homemade from our scratch cooking kitchen. For students who do not wish to participate in the hot-lunch program, sack lunches from may be brought to school; however, according to the Diocesan Wellness Policy, restaurant/fast food purchased outside of the school lunch program is not permitted.

• Money can be added to a student’s lunch account during registration and then by check to the School Office throughout the year. Lunch balances can be checked in Powerschool.

•Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their children as long as they are VIRTUS trained. Parents wishing to eat with their children are asked to call the School Office by 8:30 am so lunches can be ordered. The cost will be deducted from the student’s lunch account.

X0800 - St Thomas Aquinas Elementary is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children’s health, well-being and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating, nutrition education, physical activity and integrated school based wellness. Therefore, it is the policy of X0800 -St Thomas Aquinas Elementary that:

Policies in Place

Nutrition

General Guidelines

Substitutions are provided for students with medical disabilities identified by a licensed physician that require meal modifications per the signed Meal Modification Form.

Substitutions are provided for students with allergies and intolerances that do not rise to the level of a disability, identified by a Recognized Medical Authority on the signed Meal Modification Form.

The food service area is clean, orderly, and has an inviting atmosphere.

All school food service personnel receive required food safety training at a minimum of every 5 years. Continuing education training for all food service personnel meets federal and state requirements.

The dining area has seating to accommodate all students during each serving period.

The dining area has adult supervision.

The dining area has food service personnel and supervisory staff use positive communication cues with students to promote consumption of foods served as part of Child Nutrition Programs.

The dining area had adults model healthy eating in the dining areas and encourage students to taste new and/or unfamiliar foods.

The students are allowed to converse with one another at least part of the meal time.

Mealtime conversation is not prohibited for the entire meal time as disciplinary action.

Reimbursable meals and/or parts of a reimbursable meal are not withheld or denied as a disciplinary action.

One "Smarter Lunchroom" or a Behavioral Economics technique is used on the serving line to encourage healthy choices by students.

Two "Smarter Lunchroom" or Behavioral Economics techniques are used on the serving line to encourage healthy choices by students.

Identify content of reimbursable lunch and breakfast near or at the beginning of the serving line(s).

Identify Kansas food products that are served as part of the school meal program at the beginning or on the serving line.

Lunch

All school lunches comply with USDA regulations and state policies.

Students have at least 15 minutes “seat time” to eat lunch not including time spent walking to/from class or waiting in line.

All Food Sold in Schools

No foods or beverages are sold except reimbursable school meals or snacks.

Other Child Nutrition Programs

Meals and snacks served under the USDA At-Risk Afterschool Meals, Afterschool Care Snack Program, Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program and/or Summer Food Service Program comply with all federal regulations and state policies.

During the School Day

Students have access to free drinking water throughout the school day, including during meal service. Hygiene standards for all methods delivering drinking water will be maintained.

Students are allowed to have individual water bottles in the classroom.

Teachers and parents are provided with information on healthy options for classroom rewards, parties and celebrations that meet Smart Snacks in School "All Foods Sold in Schools" Standards.

All foods and beverages provided by teachers and the school for classroom rewards, parties and celebrations meet Smart Snacks in School “All Foods Sold in Schools” Standards.

Food is not used as a reward.

Fundraising within the school day meets “All Foods Sold in Schools” Standards (sans the exempted fundraisers).

Fundraising within the school day and until 5pm meets “All Foods Sold in Schools” Standards (sans the exempted fundraiser).

Fundraising activities involving the sale of foods or beverages that meet “All Foods Sold in Schools” Standards and/or exempted fundraisers will not take place until after the end of last lunch period.

Meals purchased at fast food outlet to be consumed at school must not be brought to school in their original containers. Caffeinated beverages are not allowed in sack lunches to be consumed in the cafeteria. (Elementary/Middle School)

Nutrition Education

School promotes participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) if applicable and to choose nutritious foods and beverages throughout the day. Menus are posted on school website and/or distributed to families via another method.

Students provide input on foods offered in the cafeteria.

Students learn about the nutrition requirements for school meals and some students are involved in helping plan menus.

Marketing and advertising of nutritious foods and beverages to students is implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach by school staff, teachers, parents, students and the community.

Allow marketing (oral, written or graphics) of only those foods and beverages sold on the school campus during the school day that meet the requirements set forth in the Smart Snacks Rule.

All students in grades K-12, including those with disabilities, special health care needs and in alternative education settings, will have the opportunity to participate in culturally relevant participatory activities and a variety of learning experiences that support development of healthful eating habits that are based on the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans and evidence-based information.

School Administrators inform teachers and other school personnel about opportunities to attend training on nutrition and encourage them to attend training on teaching nutrition.

Include nutrition education as part of health education classes and/or stand-alone courses for all grade levels, including curricula that promote skill development.

Integrate nutrition education into other core subjects such as math, science, language arts, and social sciences, as well as in non-core and elective subjects.

Integrate nutrition education into two or more core subjects, such as math, science, language arts, and social sciences as well as in two or more non-core and elective subjects.

Include nutrition and health posters, signage, or displays in the cafeteria food service and dining areas, classrooms, hallways, gymnasium, and/or bulletin boards that are rotated, updated or changed quarterly.

School personnel discuss with students the nutrition education materials displayed.

School personnel collaborate with school nutrition staff to use the cafeteria as a learning laboratory that allows students to apply critical thinking skills.

Offer information to families at least once per semester that encourages them to teach their children about health and nutrition, and assists them in planning nutritious meals for their families.

Physical Activity General Guidelines

All students in grades K - 12, including those with disabilities, special health care needs and in alternative education settings, have the opportunity to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 2 times per week during the entire school year.

All students in grades K – 12, including those with disabilities, special health care needs and in alternative education settings, have the opportunity to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity 3 or more times per week during the entire school year.

All students in grades K – 12, including those with disabilities, special health care needs and in alternative education settings, have the opportunity to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity every day during the entire school year.

Physical activity facilities in and on school property are safe with sufficient age-appropriate equipment for all students, including those with disabilities. Adequate adult supervision is provided.

School prohibits the use of physical activity as a punishment. Schools prohibit withholding physical activity, including recess and physical education, as punishment.

School encourages extra physical activity time as an option for classroom rewards.

School offers lifetime physical activity that teaches basic motor skills, enhances knowledge of concepts related to movement needed to achieve and maintain health. Students learn the benefits of and an appreciation for regular physical activity.

Throughout the Day

Structured physical activity opportunities, in addition to physical education and recess (where applicable), are encouraged for all students.

Structured physical activity opportunities, in addition to physical education and recess (where applicable), are offered to all students at least 1 time daily.School staff are encouraged to participate.

Structured physical activities are planned by a licensed physical education teacher and integrated into health education and one or more core subjects, such as math, science, language arts, and social sciences, as well as in non-core and elective subjects.

Professional development on integrating physical activity into core/non-core subjects is provided to all staff.

The physical education curriculum is sequential and consistent with Kansas State Board of Education approved physical education teaching standards for pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

Middle school students are offered physical education at all grade levels and receive 90-119 minutes of physical education per week, which includes at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity.

Physical education curriculum includes fitness assessment of at least 50% of all students enrolled in physical education and student fitness reports are available to parents.

Physical education curriculum includes fitness assessment of at least 90% of all students enrolled in physical education and student fitness reports are available to parents.

Physical education is taught by teachers licensed by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Physical education teachers participate in physical education and/or physical activity specific professional development every 2 years.

Before & After School

Extracurricular physical activity programs, such as a physical activity club or intramural programs, are offered.

An assessment on walking and/or biking to school has been completed to determine safety and feasibility.

Family & Community - PE

Community members are provided access to the school's outdoor physical activity facilities.

Community members are provided access to the school’s indoor and outdoor physical activity facilities at specified hours.

Community members are made aware of opportunities to access the school’s indoor and outdoor physical activity facilities at specified hours.

Offer information via multiple channels at least once per semester to all families that encourages them to teach their children about physical activity, and assists them in planning physical activity for their families.

Integrated School Based Wellness

Annual staff wellness activities and/or professional development opportunities related to nutrition, physical activity and abstaining from tobacco are provided to encourage school staff to serve as healthy role models. Staff wellness activities and training may also include additional components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model.

Each semester provide staff wellness activities and/or professional development opportunities related to nutrition, physical activity, and abstaining from tobacco are provided to encourage school staff to serve as healthy role models.Staff wellness activities and training may also include additional components of the Whole School, Whole Community Whole Child Model.

Each quarter provide staff wellness activities and/or professional development opportunities related to nutrition, physical activity, and abstaining from tobacco are provided to encourage school staff to serve as healthy role models. Staff wellness activities and training may also include additional components of the Whole School, Whole Community Whole Child Model.

School staff are aware of Team Nutrition and the HealthierUS School Challenge Award opportunity.

School staff collaborate to achieve Bronze or Silver HealthierUS School Challenge Award in at least 50% of schools.All schools are enrolled as a Team Nutrition school.

Annually, offer school-sponsored wellness family activities that address one or more components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model.

Each semester, offer school-sponsored wellness family activities that address one or more components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model.

Annually partner with community health agencies/organizations and/or follow community use of school facilities for wellness activities.

Support the development of a farm to school program.

Each semester, health education is provided to families via handouts, postings on the school website, newsletters, presentations and workshops.

The local school wellness policy team meets at least twice per year.

The school wellness policy and progress toward meeting the State Model Wellness Policy are made available to the public, including parents, students and the community.

The following Wellness Policies are in the process of being developed:

Developing Policies

General Guidelines

All school food service personnel receive required food safety training at a minimum of every 3 years.

Three “Smarter Lunchroom” or Behavioral Economics techniques are used on the serving line to encourage healthy choices by students.

Lunch

At least three different fruits are offered each week.Two fruits per week are served fresh.

Students have at least 20 minutes “seat time” to eat lunch not including time spent walking to/from class or waiting in line.

During the School Day

All foods and beverages brought in for classroom parties and celebrations meet Smart Snacks in School “All Foods Sold in Schools” Standards.The focus of classroom celebrations is not on food.

Nutrition Education

Allow marketing (oral, written, or graphics) of only those foods and beverages that meet the requirements set forth in the Smart Snacks Rule on the school campus at all times.

Nutrition Education

Active learning experiences are provided such as involving students in food preparation or other hands-on activities.

Offer information to families at least once per quarter that encourages them to teach their children about health and nutrition, and assists them in planning nutritious meals for their families.

Offer information to families at least once per month that encourages them to teach their children about health and nutrition, and assists them in planning nutritious meals for their families.

Physical Activity

Family & Community-PE

Offer information via multiple channels at least once per semester to all families that encourages them to teach their children about physical activity, and assists them in planning physical activity for their families.

Integrated School Based Wellness

Each semester, partner with community health agencies/organizations and/or allow community use of school facilities for wellness activities.

Facilitate the integration of a farm to school program and curricular activities including hands-on activities as appropriate to facilitate the nutritional and educational goals of the school.

Monthly, culturally relevant healthy education is provided to families via handouts, postings on the school website, newsletters, presentations and workshops.

The local school wellness policy team meets at least once per quarter.

The following students, parents, classroom teachers, food service professionals, physical education teachers, health professionals, administrators, school board members and other interested community members are engaged in developing, implementing, monitoring, reviewing and making the district wide wellness policies available to the public: